I need some help diagnosing an issue my '04 Fx4 is having;

Today it started making a type of "clunking" noise from the left front wheel anytime the wheel is slightly or more turned to the left and it sounds like it clunks every wheel revolution; My thought is the wheel bearing, but it really came out of nowhere and I thought you generally heard a whining noise first. Please post any ideas you guys may have just so I can brainstorm all possible ideas.

 

Alright well the common noise i'd hear from a bad bearing while traveling down the road, is a humming noise. Almost like something is rubbing on the tread of your tire. Maybe their are other noises it could make, im not sure, but thats the one i've heard. Maybe its a problem with the TPMS. Not quite sure how its held on, but maybe its lose. But i'd think it'd throw an error if it was. Or trigger the tire pressure warning light

 

Check the sway bar brushing at the point where it connects to the LCA. I had a similar noise a while ago and that turned out to be the problem.

 

Also check the lower and upper ball joints. Jack the front end up and put a crow bar under the tire and lift. You'll hear the clunks if it's a ball joint.

Does it do it with the 4x4 engaged?

 

I haven't tried it with 4WD drive engaged so I will try that today.

 

Several people have said the hubs are engauging by themselves, I don't have 4x4 so thats all I know.

 

I have a similar problem...Mine makes noise when I start rolling from a stop and goes away at around 5-10mph. Rides and drives perfect. Just started and it is driving me nuts. Could it be a cv joint for the front axel? My truck is a 06 screw 4x4 with a leveling kit. 77k miles.

 

X2 I had this same problem in my 1998. I had broken a swaybar end link bolt. It would make a clunking thumping noise. Good excuse to put on urathane bushing kit.

These trucks have a good reputation for having that problem. Check it out.

If that's not the problem, I would check the ball joints next.

 

Well the grinding has gotten a ton worse in the last few days so tonight I am pulling it apart; I already bought wheel; bearings since they were only $20. I don't think it is the ball joint or sway link since it is a knocking/grinding that has gotten worse with driving. Does anyone know where I can find a little how-to if I run into problems?

 

get a haynes manual...they sell them at advance auto or autozone. If i were to diagnose your problem I would say that It may be a failed IWE hub or a vacuum line came off of it. If you put the truck in 4x4 and it stops making the noise, that is the problem. Do a search on IWE or 4x4 problems and read about them, it sounds alot more similar to your situation than a wheel bearing

 

Don't forget to check the tie rods for wear. Jack the left wheel off the ground and grab the tire and try wobbling it left and right. Sometimes a loose tierod will let the wheel wobble a bit when the steering wheel is turned off center a bit at low speeds. This can sound like a clunk as the tire wobbles a bit from side to side.

 

I had the same problem it was the IWE solenoid and 4x4 was trying to engage it would make a horrible grinding noise. If I switched it into 4x4 it would stop making the noise but the 4x4 would not work. Took it to the stealer and thats what it was. Water in the vacuum line or some s*&t. Anyway got it fixed for about $160. Hope you get it figured out.